What causes sunspots on skin? How to whiten them and reduce their appearance?
Sunspots, medically known as ephedra, are circular or oval hyperpigmented skin formations 2 to 4 millimeters in size.
They are more likely to occur in people who have a light complexion.
The formation of sunspots is caused by UV rays. In fact, increased sensitivity to UV rays and the appearance of sunspots are genetically predisposed.
UV rays accelerate the process of creating melanin (a pigment that determines the complexion, ie skin color) in melanocytes (cells that produce melanin).
Therefore, it is not the number of melanocytes that changes, but their melanin filling.
Circumstantially increased melanin deposition in melanocytes is manifested by the appearance of sunspots.
On which part of the body do sunspots most often appear?
Sunspots occur most often and logically on parts of the body that are exposed to sunlight.
This means that they are mostly found on the face, neck, décolleté, forearms, upper back, shoulders, and back of the hands.
What is the danger of sunspots becoming malignant?
Fortunately, sunspots are never malignant.
However, there is a certain danger in people who are more sensitive to sunlight.
As we have already said, especially for people with a light complexion, the risk of developing skin cancer is much higher than in others.
Therefore, in this population of light-skinned people, it is especially advisable to practice the tips for protection from UV radiation.
How best to prevent sunspots?
Freckles, in particular, their appearance occurs very early.
They occur in childhood and are usually genetically determined.
Because they occur at an early age, it is advisable to start UV prevention as soon as possible.
Practical tips on how to protect yourself from sunspots?
For protection from sunspots, it is necessary:
- When going out, constantly use sunscreen 50 always use wide-brimmed hats
- you should wear clothing that will provide more body coverage
- and a very important tip is to avoid staying in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, especially in summer.
How to prevent sun spots with medical treatments?
Unfortunately, we have to realize that freckles persist throughout life. Once they appear they stay on our body constantly.
But there are therapeutic methods that can reduce the visibility of freckles.
Retinoids
Tretinoin or tazarotene are retinoids that help with sunspots.
Because if used for a period of several months, they can significantly reduce the visibility of freckles.
Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen
Freckles can also be very successfully treated with liquid nitrogen.
With this treatment, just like with retinoids, their visibility can be reduced. This therapy is also known as “cold trauma”.
Its success is due primarily to the fact that melanocytes are sensitive to cold and thus subject to destruction.
Laser therapy
With the help of laser therapy, selective destruction of melanocytes can be done, which would reduce the visibility of freckles.
This procedure usually gives really good results.
Another advantage of laser therapy is the fact that there is a low risk of side effects such as scarring or discoloration.
Products containing Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone inhibits melanin synthesis as well as melanocyte degranulation.
This action enables the lightening of the freckles and reduction of their visibility.
For the best and safest effect of this treatment, it is necessary to avoid sun exposure during the application of the product with hydroquinone and to use sunscreen.
Chemical peeling of sunspots
Chemical peeling treatments help in the so-called “whitening” of freckles.
By using the chemical treatment we get the improvement of the possible irregularities in the skin pigmentation.
Warning:
If you want to apply any of these treatments, of course, you should first consult your dermatologist.
Natural ways to whiten sunspots
In addition to medical treatments, there are a number of natural ways to reduce sunspots. Natural remedies for whitening sunspots have surprisingly positive effects.
Therefore, before deciding on any of the medical treatments, try the following remedies offered by Mother Nature.
Lemon juice against sunspots
The natural ingredients of lemon, especially citric acid, help whiten freckles.
There are several ways to use lemon, so choose one of the following recipes and see which one suits you best for reducing sunspots.
Natural treatment with lemon against freckles
The first way is to just squeeze a lemon and apply the juice directly to the freckles.
Gently massage the skin where you have freckles. Allow the juice to stand for about 10-15 minutes on the area you want to treat.
In the end, all you have to do is wash your face with warm water. Practice this treatment only once a day.
Lemon and sugar treatment
The second way is to take a lemon again and cut it in half.
Put a little sugar on the cut surface, ie on the lemon, and gently massage the affected area for a few minutes.
Finally, you need to wash your skin again with warm water. Practice this procedure once a week as in the previous treatment.
Lemon with honey and salt against sunspots
The third way to treat freckles is by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a very little salt.
Put the mixture on the area you want to treat and leave it for a little longer, ie 10-15 minutes.
Finally, of course, rinse your skin with warm water. This treatment can be practiced 1-2 times a week.
Caution: After applying the lemon juice, in any of the lemon treatments, apply moisturizer daily so as not to cause excessive drying of the skin.
Honey to reduce sunspots
Honey is great for whitening and reduces sunspots. Also honey in its unique composition contains enzymes that help in a natural way to lighten the skin.
Honey and water
For this treatment, you should first mix 1 tablespoon of honey with a little water and then heat the mixture a little until it is combined.
Apply the mixture to the area you want to treat and leave it for a few minutes. Then all you have to do is wash it with warm water.
Practice this treatment against freckles only once a day.
Honey and sprouts against sunspots
Take 1 tablespoon of wheat germ and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix it all well to get a homogeneous mixture.
Apply the mixture to the problem area of the skin and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
Wash skin with warm water. Practice the procedure 1-2 times a week.
Honey with yogurt or yogurt to reduce sunspots
For this treatment, you can choose yogurt or sour milk 1-2 tablespoons and mix with 1 tablespoon of honey.
Apply this mixture to the area you want to treat and wash with warm water after 30 minutes. Practice the procedure every day, just like other honey treatments.
Yogurt effective treatment against freckles
Yogurt is an effective way to get rid of sunspots and reduce them. The lactic acid in yogurt helps whiten freckles, especially if you have sensitive skin.
No special preparation is needed for its correction. Put yogurt on the affected area and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
After washing with warm water, always apply moisturizer on the skin. Practice this procedure with yogurt only once a day.
Papaya treatment against sunspots
The ingredients contained in papaya provide gentle exfoliation of the skin and at the same time stimulate regeneration.
The enzymes in papaya are thought to inhibit melanin production. If you have a choice, then it is best to opt for green papaya.
The advantage of green papaya is the fact that it is richer in the necessary enzyme.
Take a few pieces of green papaya, put them in a blender, and make a homogeneous mixture. You can add a few drops of lemon to the mixture if you want.
Leave it on the problem area of the skin for 15 minutes. It remains only at the end, like any treatment, to wash the skin with warm water.
Cucumber to reduce sunspots
Cucumber has incredible power to revitalize the skin. Also, cucumber juice is a great remedy for redness and pigmentation of the skin.
In addition to vitamin E and omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, cucumber contains phytosterols that make the skin soft and radiant.
To prepare this treatment, you need to grate half a cucumber and apply the mixture to the problem area.
Leave it on for about 15 minutes. You can practice the treatment every day. Squeeze the cucumber juice and apply it to the face daily.
Banana and mint
Banana when combined with fresh mint very successfully and naturally whitens the skin. Wery important is banana contains salicylic acid which has an exfoliating effect and removes dead skin cells.
On the other hand, there is mint, which is rich in many antioxidants.
In the end, we get the perfect combination for glowing skin. This treatment requires a banana and a few mint leaves.
Put them together in a blender and mix to get a homogeneous mixture.
Apply the mixture to the problem area and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash skin with warm water.
Use this treatment 1-2 times a week for maximum effect.
The beautiful side of sunspots
The appearance of freckles on the face can result in more charm, individuality, and uniqueness. Believe it or not, freckles are a very common feature in the fashion industry.
Wanting to avoid the “artificial” effect that flawless skin has, many fashion houses and stylists hire models with freckles.
Sometimes in some cases, make-up artists deliberately draw freckles on the faces of long-legged beauties from the catwalks.
However, freckles do not only appear on the face, and often women try to whiten and reduce them.
It is generally believed that sunspots are considered a flaw.
Conclusion
Sunspots are round or oval hyperpigmented skin formations.
They appear due to the action of UV rays. Sunspots are most common in light-skinned people.
Once sunspots appear, they can not be removed, they can only be reduced with the help of medical and natural treatments to reduce them.
Medical treatments include laser therapy, as well as cryotherapy, and chemical facial peels.
There are numerous natural treatments for reducing sunspots with lemon, honey, bananas, cucumbers, and other foods.
Lastly, sunspots should not be taken lightly, they are common on our skin. With or without sunspots you will not lose your appearance and beauty at all.
